Why Condi Rice won’t be on GOP ticket

Unlike some Republicans, I admire former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She’s smart. She’s tough. She’s a fine Repbulican. I like that she’s “mildly pro-choice” and would love to see a female African American on the ticket. But unlike the savvy Bill Kristol, I think there is zero chance that she will be Mitt Romney’s running mate.

Condoleezza Rice is too smart to run for office

1. Rice is a campaign virgin. We know that Rice can handle lots of stress and conflict, but we do not know that she can thrive under the different demands of a political campaign. She’s never been vetted in a high-profile election, or any election.

2. In 1991, newly elected California Gov. Pete Wilson wanted to name Rice to replace him in the U.S. Senate. Word is that Wilson wanted Rice to commit to running for re-election in 1992, but she declined. As a result, Wilson chose a GOP state Senator who lost to Dianne Feinstein in the 1992 special election. Rice has the stomach for grueling foreign policy fights, but she does not have the fire in the belly you want for the top ticket.

3. Rice knows who she is. If she were a campaign animal, she’d have thrown her hat in the ring before. Instead, she has chosen to participate in non-elective capacities, where she has been able to serve her country and her party ably and well.

You often hear people say that campaigns are so dirty that good people don’t want to participate. I think Rice is too smart to throw herself into the people shredder.